Lot 382: Antony Hewish

Lot 382: British radio astronomer (born 1924) who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1974 for his work on the development of radio aperture synthesis and its role in the discovery of pulsars. ALS, one page both sides, 5.5 x 3.5, Cambridge University, Cavendish Laboratory stationery card, postmarked January 20, 1976. Fascinating letter describing the work that led to his recent Nobel Prize. In part: "My work, which led to the discovery of pulsars, was an interest in 'hot-spots' which occur in Radio Galaxies. These show up, at metre wavelengths, as a rapid and irregular modulation of intensity. I designed a new kind of radio telescope which was specially sensitive to fluctuating signals and made a careful search of all the sky visible at Cambridge, England. The fluctuations are caused by clouds in interplanetary space...By a great stroke of scientific good fortune, pulsar signals had much the same characteristics!" In fine condition, with significant brushing to a single word. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in his own hand, as well as a carbon copy of the original letter sent to him.
RR Auction's Fine Autographs & Artifacts
Friday, 23rd October 2015
Estimate: $200-400